Josefine: An animated opera

Josefine’ is a fantastical animated opera inspired by Franz Kafka’s short story ‘Josefine the Singer.’ It explores the power of music and Art on the individual, the community, and on the world; and the ever-more-relevant question of art’s place in times of crisis. When Josefine cracks a bleak desert open with one piercing note, her birth shakes up the existence of a curious shoal-sprite who is enchanted by her voice.

Perched on the highest peak the tiny Josefine controls the shoal-sprite community with her demands for food, water and shelter, but as she grows older and stronger their instinct is to protect her and to preserve her qualities of childhood by caging her. Abandoned and alone in her nest, Josefine falls silent.

Eventually her innate impulse to sing and dance triumphs over isolation and sadness, and Josefine’s music floods the world with life and joy once more. The power of reunion with the shoal-sprite breaks open the cage, releasing the beauty of Art and music into the universe with spirit and joy.

• Genre: Music/Animation
• Screening Length: 30'
• Name of presenting company: Maestro Broadcasting